Landon Beardsworth may have got off to a great start for this year's regular rodeo season but now he has greater incentive to make it even more special.
For the second year in a row the 18-year-old rising steer wrestling star has been invited to compete in the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) that is being held in Rock Springs, WY from July 13 to 19.
He qualified for the event after winning the steer wrestling competition at the Alberta High School Rodeo Finals, which was held at the Ponoka Stampede grounds from June 13 to 15.
The opportunity at the prestigious event for the young cowboy is also a chance for redemption after what he considered was a disappointing showing at last year's NHSFR event.
“It was pretty tough and I screwed up a bit,” said the Innisfailian, whose disappointment a year ago has morphed into renewed purpose and optimism for this year's NHSFR competition.
“Definitely yes, I am going to practice as much as I can, get mentally ready and go in there with lots of confidence,” said Beardsworth, who took up steer wrestling four years ago.
The teen cowboy, who graduated from Innisfail Jr.'/Sr. High this year, is also hoping he can carry his early season success into the big event south of the border.
Beardsworth began the Canadian Cowboys' Association (CCA) 2014 season by taking top spot at the Tisdale Rambler Rodeo and earning $518.
He committed himself to a full slate of rodeos leading up to the NHSFR competition, including the prestigious Raymond Stampede at the end of June - Canada's oldest professional rodeo.
“It is pretty hard to concentrate on one (NHSFR) when you have to pretty much go to one rodeo every weekend but definitely this week I will be focusing on it a lot more,” said Beardsworth.
And while he has great ambitions for the CCA rodeo circuit he is also excited about going to college in the fall. Beardsworth earned a scholarship to go to New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, NM where he will hit the books in the general studies program while pursuing his rodeo dreams.
“I really liked their rodeo team,” he said. “They really had a good coach, nice arena and good all around facilities.”
